lymphocyte
Definition
Noun: * A type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that is a key component of the immune system. Lymphocytes are "agranulocytic," meaning their cytoplasm does not contain prominent granules. They are primarily responsible for the body's adaptive immune response, which involves recognizing and remembering specific pathogens.
Usage
Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and mature in the lymphoid organs (such as the thymus and lymph nodes). They circulate in the blood and lymphatic system. There are several main types, including B cells (which produce antibodies) and T cells (which directly attack infected cells and regulate the immune response).
Examples
- A high lymphocyte count in a blood test can indicate a viral infection.
- The doctor explained that lymphocytes are the body's specific defense cells.
- The research focused on how the lymphocyte recognizes foreign invaders.
Advanced Usage
- Lymphocyte activation: The process by which a lymphocyte is stimulated by an antigen to become functional and divide.
- Lymphocyte proliferation: The rapid multiplication of lymphocytes after activation.
- Lymphocyte homing: The mechanism by which lymphocytes migrate to specific tissues.
Variants and Related Words
- Lymphocytic (adjective): Of or relating to lymphocytes.
- Lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer of the lymphocyte-forming cells.
- B lymphocyte / B cell: A type of lymphocyte that matures in the bone marrow and produces antibodies.
- T lymphocyte / T cell: A type of lymphocyte that matures in the thymus and is involved in cell-mediated immunity.
- Natural Killer (NK) cell: A type of lymphocyte that can kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells without prior sensitization.
Synonyms
- Immune cell
- White blood cell (leukocyte) – though this is a broader category that includes other types like neutrophils.
Related Phrases and Terms
- Lymphocyte count: A measurement of the number of lymphocytes in a blood sample.
- Lymphocyte subset: A test that measures the specific types of lymphocytes (e.g., T cells, B cells) in the blood.
Noun
-
an agranulocytic leukocyte that normally makes up a quarter of the white blood cell count but increases in the presence of infection
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